Bars on the water for Wan Chai.

(From The Standard)

Byline: Keith Wallis

Part of the Wan Chai coastline would be reclaimed to provide space for bars and shops to add vibrancy to a waterfront promenade as part of the HK$4 billion second phase of the Wan Chai reclamation, government counsel confirmed yesterday.

But senior counsel Robert Tang said the Town Planning Board was justified in approving the proposals under the harbour protection ordinance even though there was a presumption against reclamation except for essential infrastructure works.

He was responding to questions by Madam Justice Carlye Chu who is hearing a judicial review sought by the Society for Protection …